A military symposium commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was held in Beijing on Tuesday.

Addressing the symposium, Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, urged the armed forces to remember that a nation can only be secure if it has a strong military.

Zhang emphasized the importance of strengthening the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces, enhancing combat readiness, and accelerating national defense and military modernization through reforms, technological innovation, and improved governance.

He also called for safeguarding the post-WWII international order, building a community with a shared future for humanity, and maintaining China's role as a steadfast force for world peace.